I rented this film because I love Tom Conti, and when he's on screen, I enjoyed it. Otherwise, it's formulaic and stagy: the characters are two-dimensional, the plot development obvious in the extreme. Anyone who's surprised by anything here must never have seen another movie or read a novel. I was particularly offended that we're told in advance of his entrance "not to be put off by the physical appearance" of character James Percy. So who walks in but Thomas Gibson, looking like a dark-haired Adonis. This is Hollywood TV at it's shallowest. Another reviewer said the movie is far better than the book. It must be truly ghastly.

I've seen this movie about 5 or more times, and it never ceases to touch me. I'm a huge fan a Louisa May Alcott (Little Women is one of my all time favorite books). So it greatly surprised me that I enjoyed the movie better then the book. The movie was well done, sticking to the book, but also changing a few details. They changed enough details to improve the over all story, but not enough to create a whole new story. For fans of the book, there's no reason that you won't enjoy this film. This movie presents a simple, sweet, and at times moving story. Edith is a 'servant' in the Hamilton's house. A Young Women of character, something that's so rare these days. The actors do a great job portraying there roles. Scenery for this movie is breath taking. Definitely worth every penny you spend to buy it.

Such a delightful sentimental wholesome period piece, with a really good cast. Cari Shayne does an excellent job with Louisa May Alcott's character, Edith Adelon, bringing to life the sweet, spirited, caring orphan girl taken in by the Hamilton family who grows up as a companion to their daughter Amy. Tom Conti as Henry Hamilton lends a caring fatherly figure to the movie, and Meredith Baxter as Beatrice Hamilton as always is wonderfully believable. Thomas Gibson as family friend James Percy is a gentleman to fall in love with, just as I did from watching him in the TV series "Dharma and Greg". I've seen "The Inheritance" twice now, and would watch it again and again. It's a classic in my book.

My roommates and I watched this movie after a long, stressful day, and we laughed and cried. Henry Hamilton steals the show with tasteful humor and well-timed wit. As a Louisa May Alcott story, yes, it's a chick flick and sappy, but even men will love Henry's humor, in addition to a fast-paced horse race and several heated arguments. The music is descriptive; when you first meet "the bad guy," the music takes a foreboding turn. Some lines are cheesy, and Ida will drive you crazy, but all in all, it's a fun, romantic, and enjoyable film the whole family can enjoy, free of nudity and violence and almost entirely void of offensive language. Watch it! (And if you like Henry Hamilton, you'll love the 1985 movie "Saving Grace," in which he stars as the Pope.)